Services Sector in a Globalized Economy

Opening Markets for Trade in Services highlights the key challenges and opportunities for the services sector in a globalized economy. This new book — co-published by the World Trade Organization and Cambridge University Press — focuses on the unilateral action taken by countries across the world as well as the bilateral and multilateral liberalization of trade in services. It explores the challenges, motivations and achievements of the growing number of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) between countries and of the global trade negotiations within the WTO.

The publication includes studies on a wide range of sectors, such as air transport, distribution, audiovisual services, postal services, energy, finance and telecommunications, and on a variety of themes, such as cross-border trade, government procurement and the movement of natural persons. Chapters covering each of these sectors/themes review market and regulatory developments, discuss key negotiating issues and assess the liberalization already achieved by PTAs and WTO negotiations. The book also looks ahead to future opportunities and challenges.
The book also includes case studies on countries as diverse as Australia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, India, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and Uruguay. These case studies aim to shed light on the elements that have shaped bilateral and multilateral negotiations on services. What are the reasons for negotiating bilateral agreements? Why do negotiations lead to such different results? What role is played by national interests? 
Contributors to this volume include WTO staff, negotiators, academics and experts from other international organizations. A foreword has been provided by the WTO's Director-General, Pascal Lamy. (courtsy-WTO)

Posted by Vidyanand Acharya